CLECKHEATON crashed to a fourth defeat in a row in North One East, this time losing 24-18 to Morpeth.

Cleck were without two experienced forwards from the previous week’s squad with Andy Piper and Josh Plunkett both succumbing to shoulder injuries.

Joey Carley joined the front row at hooker with Brad Marsden returning at flanker, while skipper Matt Piper played the match in an unfamiliar role at blindside flank.

Cleck started the better having most of the early possession and, on 10 minutes, took the lead after Morpeth were penalised for holding on to the ball on the halfway line.

A good lineout drill and good drive by Matt Piper took play deep inside Morpeth’s 22 and when the visitors were penalised for not releasing, Jack Seddon took a quick tap and forced his way over the line under the sticks.

The ball may have come loose as he dived over because the absence of a conversion would indicate the referee awarded a penalty try, either way Cleckheaton had opened up a 7-0 lead.

Morpeth had made a slow start to the game and following the restart it was still all Cleckheaton.

As the half hit its mid-point, Mikey Hayward made a terrific break down the left and, after quick ruck ball and a long pass from Breakwell, found Booth in space and the speedy winger crossed for a fine try which went unconverted.

Morpeth finally got their act together just before the half-hour mark, when the power of their scrum shunted Cleckheaton backwards a number of times inside the home side’s 22.

The scrum collapsed twice during the retreat and the referee lost his patience, sending Cleck’s Paul Turner to the sin bin.

Speedy adjustments were required as Morpeth opted to scrum again from the ensuing penalty and 18-year-old Henry Iwanejko took up the mantle at prop with Damian Pearson sacrificed for the following 10 minutes.

With Cleck down to 14 men, Morpeth scrum-half, Steve Irving, picked up at the base of the scrum and crashed over for a try, which Hornby converted.

Almost immediately from the restart Morpeth took the lead with a finely-executed finish.

A great run by flanker Ollie Dynan and some good support work resulted in Johnny Ward going over for a try at the side of the posts. Hornby converted to make it 14-12 to the visitors.

There wasn't much between the sides despite the difference in league position but, on 57 minutes, Morpeth extended the lead with a Hornby penalty.

Three minutes later the men from Northumberland scored a third try after a comedy of errors.

Cole burst through some indifferent tackling, but the ball came loose and was deemed to have gone backwards. It was propelled into the in-goal area and Booth took an air shot at it but caught it enough to seemingly put it dead. However the ball suddenly stopped, still the wrong side of the dead ball line, and Morpeth centre James Philipps got his hand to it. Hornby converted.

Cleck kept probing for an opening and Breakwell kicked a penalty on 64 minutes to reduce the lead to 24-15.

Breakwell repeated this again after 69 minutes to bring his team within six points and secure a bonus point.

Tony Moody was shown the yellow card for the visitors following a high tackle and Cleckheaton sensed a chance of victory.